Abstract:

A self-traveling crushing machine includes: a traveling device; a crushing
device that is provided on the traveling device and crushes a
to-be-crushed object supplied; an overload escaping section that escapes
an overload of the crushing device; and a controller that controls the
crushing device. In the self-traveling crushing machine, the crushing
device is a jaw crusher in which the to-be-crushed object is supplied to
a V-shaped space formed by a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and the movable
jaw swings relative to the fixed jaw to crush the to-be-crushed object,
and the controller includes: an escape-operation determining section that
determines whether or not the overload escaping section has operated; and
an information output section that sends the escape operation information
to an outside when the escape-operation determining section determines
that the escape operation has been conducted.

Claims:

1. A self-traveling crushing machine comprising:a traveling device;a
crushing device that is provided on the traveling device and crushes a
to-be-crushed object supplied;an overload escaping section that escapes
an overload of the crushing device; and a controller that controls the
crushing device, whereinthe crushing device is a jaw crusher in which the
to-be-crushed object is supplied to a V-shaped space formed by a fixed
jaw and a movable jaw and the movable jaw swings relative to the fixed
jaw to crush the to-be-crushed object, andthe controller comprises:an
escape-operation determining section that determines whether or not the
overload escaping section has operated; andan information output section
that sends escape operation information to an outside when the
escape-operation determining section determines that escape operation has
been conducted.

2. The self-traveling crushing machine according to claim 1, whereinthe
overload escaping section is a hydraulic cylinder with a close fit
mechanism having a first end connected to a crushing device body on which
the fixed jaw is fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the
hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism having a stroke that
changes when the movable jaw is overloaded, andthe escape-operation
determining section conducts determination of the escape operation based
on a detection signal from a stroke sensor that detects a change of the
stroke of the hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism.

3. The self-traveling crushing machine according to claim 1, whereinthe
overload escaping section is a hydraulic cylinder with a close fit
mechanism having a first end connected to a crushing device body on which
the fixed Jaw is fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the
hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism having a stroke that
changes when the movable jaw is overloaded,the hydraulic cylinder with
the close fit mechanism is connected to the crushing device body via a
link member, andthe escape-operation determining section conducts
determination of the escape operation based on a detection signal from an
angle sensor that detects an angle change of the link member caused by a
change of the stroke of the hydraulic cylinder with the close fit
mechanism.

4. The self-traveling crushing machine according to claim 1, whereinthe
overload escaping section is a toggle plate, the toggle plate having a
first end connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed jaw is
fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the toggle plate
buckling when the movable jaw is overloaded, andthe escape-operation
determining section conducts determination of the escape operation based
on a detection signal from a stress sensor that detects a change of a
stress generated in the toggle plate.

5. The self-traveling crushing machine according to claim 4, whereinthe
escape-operation determining section determines presence of the escape
operation when the stress sensor detects a detection stress greater than
a threshold stress that is set in advance to be smaller than a rupture
stress of the toggle plate.

6. The self-traveling crushing machine according to claim 1, whereinthe
overload escaping section is a toggle plate, the toggle plate having a
first end connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed jaw is
fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the toggle plate
buckling when the movable jaw is overloaded,the toggle plate is connected
to a reaction-force supporting mechanism, the reaction-force supporting
mechanism being provided to the crushing device body and supporting a
force applied to the movable jaw, andthe escape-operation determining
section conducts determination of the escape operation based on a
detection signal from a stress sensor that detects change of a stress
applied to the reaction-force supporting mechanism.

7. An administrative system of a self-traveling crushing machine, the
administrative system comprising:at least one self-traveling crushing
machine that comprises a traveling device, a crushing device that is
provided on the traveling device and crushes a to-be-crushed object
supplied, an overload escaping section that escapes an overload of the
crushing device, and a controller that controls the crushing machine;
anda server communicatively coupled to the self-traveling crushing
machine, whereinthe crushing device is a jaw crusher in which the
to-be-crushed object is supplied to a V-shaped space formed by a fixed
jaw and a movable jaw and the movable jaw swings relative to the fixed
jaw to crush the to-be-crushed object,the controller comprises:an
escape-operation determining section that determines whether or not the
overload escaping section has operated; andan information output section
that sends escape operation information to an outside when the
escape-operation determining section determines that escape operation has
been conducted, andthe server comprises:an information receiving section
that receives the escape operation information sent from the information
output section; andan escape-operation information accumulating section
that accumulates the escape operation information received by the
information receiving section in association with the self-traveling
crushing machine from which the escape operation information is sent.

8. The administrative system of the self-traveling crushing machine
according to claim 7, whereinthe server further comprises:an
escape-operation count determining section that determines whether or not
a count of the escape operation information accumulated in the
escape-operation information accumulating section is not less than a
predetermined threshold; anda notifier that notifies that the count is
not less than the threshold when the escape-operation count determining
section determines that the count is not less than the threshold.

9. The administrative system of the self-traveling crushing machine
according to claim 8, whereinthe notifier comprises an alarm-information
sending section that sends alarm information to a notification target
selected from the at least one self-traveling crushing machine, andthe
controller of the self-traveling crushing machine comprises an alarm
calling section that calls an alarm when the alarm information is
received.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present invention relates to a self-traveling crushing machine
and an administrative system for a self-traveling crushing machine.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002]In recent years, to recycle waste materials generated at
construction sites, civil engineering sites and the like, self-traveling
crushing machines are installed at construction sites and the like to
crush the waste materials generated during work operations so that the
waste materials are recycled as materials for work operations.

[0003]An example of a self-traveling crushing machine includes a traveling
device and a jaw crusher installed thereon. The jaw crusher produces
aggregate having a predetermined particle-diameter from a to-be-crushed
object by compression force and shear force while supplying the
to-be-crushed object such as a concrete mass to a V-shaped space formed
by a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and swinging the movable jaw relative to
the fixed jaw.

[0004]Because such a jaw crusher employs compression force and shear force
to crush the to-be-crushed object, the device body of the jaw crusher
including the fixed jaw and the movable jaw may be overloaded depending
on operating conditions of an operator and characteristics of the
to-be-crushed object.

[0005]In view of the above, the conventional jaw crusher includes: a
toggle plate that interconnects the swinging movable jaw and the device
body having the fixed jaw; and an overload escaping section in which the
toggle plate buckles to let go the load on the movable jaw when the
movable jaw is overloaded to a predetermined extent (e.g., see, Patent
Document 1).

[0006]Another overload escaping section includes, instead of the toggle
plate, a hydraulic cylinder with a close fit mechanism in which strokes
are changed by hydraulic pressure when the movable jaw is overloaded
(e.g., see, Patent Document 2).

[0009]However, according to the above-mentioned overload escaping section
disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, because the buckling of the toggle
plate and the change in the strokes of a hydraulic cylinder with a close
fit mechanism occur within the crushing device, the buckling and the
stroke change cannot be visually recognized from the outside by an
operator. Accordingly, depending on the occurrence frequency, it is
possible that the crushing device suffers a serious damage. Such being
the case, time needed for restoration greatly lowers productivity.

[0010]An object of the invention is to provide: a self-traveling crushing
machine in which, when a crushing device such as a jaw crusher performs
an overload escaping operation, the operation is notified to the outside
so that a third person including an operator can recognize occurrence
frequency of the overload escaping operation, so that the damage of the
crushing device can be prevented and the time needed for restoration can
be reduced; and an administrative system of the self-traveling crushing
machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011]A self-traveling machine according to an aspect of the invention
includes: a traveling device; a crushing device that is provided on the
traveling device and crushes a to-be-crushed object supplied; an overload
escaping section that escapes an overload of the crushing device; and a
controller that controls the crushing device, in which the crushing
device is a jaw crusher in which the to-be-crushed object is supplied to
a V-shaped space formed by a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and the movable
jaw swings relative to the fixed jaw to crush the to-be-crushed object,
and the controller comprises: an escape-operation determining section
that determines whether or not the overload escaping section has
operated; and an information output section that sends the escape
operation information to an outside when the escape-operation determining
section determines that the escape operation has been conducted.

[0012]Here, the escape-operation detecting section can retrieve operation
of the overload escaping section as an electric signal by a detector such
as a sensor and perform an operation determination based on the value
indicated by the electric signal.

[0013]Any wired or wireless suitable method may be employed to output the
escape operation information from the information output section to the
outside. For example, public network such as mobile phone lines may be
utilized for outputting to the outside. For another example, the escape
operation information may be wirelessly outputted together with a machine
number and a present location information of the self-traveling crushing
machine to a specialized communication satellite.

[0014]With the aspect of the invention, because the escape-operation
determining section and the information outputting section provided to
the self-traveling crushing machine send the escape operation information
to the outside when the overload escaping section operates, even when the
inside of the crushing machine cannot be visually recognized, a third
person such as an operator can recognize the escape operation.
Accordingly, damage of the crushing machine that is generated depending
on the occurrence frequency of the escape operation can be prevented, and
time required for restoration can be reduced.

[0015]In addition, because the technique is applied to a jaw crusher and
other crushing machines likely to be overloaded, advantages such as the
prevention of damage of the crushing machine and the reduction of
restoring work time can be favorably enjoyed.

[0016]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the overload
escaping section is a hydraulic cylinder with a close fit mechanism
having a first end connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed
jaw is fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the hydraulic
cylinder with the close fit mechanism having a stroke that changes when
the movable jaw is overloaded, and the escape-operation determining
section conducts determination of escape operation based on a detection
signal from a stroke sensor that detects change of the stroke of the
hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism.

[0017]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the overload
escaping section is a hydraulic cylinder with a close fit mechanism
having a first end connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed
jaw is fixed and a second end connected to the movable jaw, the hydraulic
cylinder with the close fit mechanism having a stroke that changes when
the movable jaw is overloaded, the hydraulic cylinder with the close fit
mechanism is connected to a crushing device body via a link member, and
the escape-operation determining section conducts determination of escape
operation based on a detection signal from an angle sensor that detects
an angle change of the link member caused by a change of the stroke of
the hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism.

[0018]With this arrangement, because the escape-operation determining
section determines the escape operation by the change of stroke of the
cylinder or the change of angle of the link, load generated in the
hydraulic cylinder with the close fit mechanism upon escape operation can
be reduced to prevent damage of the overload escaping section.

[0019]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the overload
escaping section is a toggle plate, the toggle plate having a first end
connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed jaw is fixed, the
toggle plate having a second end connected to the movable jaw, the toggle
plate buckling when the movable jaw is overloaded, the escape-operation
determining section conducts determination of escape operation based on a
detection signal from a stress sensor that detects a change of a stress
generated in the toggle plate.

[0020]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the escape-operation
determining section determines presence of the escape operation when the
stress sensor detects a detection stress greater than a threshold stress
that is set in advance to be smaller than a rupture stress of the toggle
plate.

[0021]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the overload
escaping section is a toggle plate, the toggle plate having a first end
connected to a crushing device body on which the fixed jaw is fixed, the
toggle plate having a second end connected to the movable jaw, the toggle
plate buckling when the movable jaw is overloaded, the toggle plate is
connected to a reaction-force supporting mechanism, the reaction-force
supporting mechanism being provided to the crushing device and supporting
a-force applied to the movable jaw, and the escape-operation determining
section conducts determination of escape operation based on a detection
signal from a stress sensor that detects a change of a stress applied to
the reaction-force supporting mechanism.

[0022]With this arrangement, because the escape-operation determining
section determines presence of the escape operation by the change of
stress of the toggle plate, the buckling of the toggle plate is prevented
in advance by determining the presence of the escape operation before the
toggle plate buckles, thereby greatly reducing time required for
restoring work including exchange of the toggle plate.

[0023]An administrative system of a self-traveling crushing machine
according to another aspect of the invention includes: at least one
self-traveling crushing machine that comprises a traveling device, a
crushing device that is provided on the traveling device and crushes a
to-be-crushed object supplied, an overload escaping section that escapes
an overload of the crushing device, and a controller that controls the
crushing machine; and a server communicatively coupled to the
self-traveling crushing machine, in which the crushing device is a jaw
crusher in which the to-be-crushed object is supplied to a V-shaped space
formed by a fixed jaw and a movable jaw and the movable jaw swings
relative to the fixed jaw to crush the to-be-crushed object, and the
controller comprises: an escape-operation determining section that
determines whether or not the overload escaping section has operated; and
an information output section that sends the escape operation information
to an outside when the escape-operation determining section determines
that the escape operation has been conducted, and the server comprises:
an information receiving section that receives the escape operation
information sent from the information output section; and an
escape-operation information accumulating section that accumulates the
escape operation information received by the information receiving
section in association with the self-traveling crushing machine from
which the escape operation information is sent.

[0024]With this arrangement, because the escape-operation information of
the overload escaping section of the self-traveling crushing machine is
accumulated in the escape-operation information accumulating section of
the server, the server can perceive escape operation occurrence frequency
or the like for each self-traveling crushing machine. Accordingly,
administration of the self-traveling crushing machine is facilitated, and
the maintenance work provided by a service center can be timely
conducted.

[0025]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the server
comprises: an escape-operation count determining section that determines
whether or not a count of the escape operation information accumulated in
the escape-operation information accumulating section is no less than a
predetermined threshold; and a notifier that notifies that the count is
no less than the threshold when the escape-operation count determining
section determines that the count is no less than the threshold.

[0026]With this arrangement, because the escape-operation count
determining section and the notifier are provided, an administration that
corresponds to a crushing load of the self-traveling crushing machine
installed at a construction site is possible.

[0027]In the above arrangement, it is preferable that the notifier
includes an alarm-information sending section that sends alarm
information to a notification target selected from the at least one
self-traveling crushing machine, and the controller of the self-traveling
crushing machine includes an alarm calling section that calls an alarm
when the alarm information is received.

[0028]Here, calling an alarm by the alarm calling section is performed by
calling an alarm in the form of image data on a monitor screen provided
to the self-traveling crushing machine or by employing sounds of a buzzer
or the like.

[0029]With this arrangement, because the alarm-information sending section
provided to the notifier and the alarm calling section provided to the
self-traveling crushing machine allow teaching, via audio and image
information, an operator of a self-traveling crushing machine that has
been decided to be overloaded by the server, that the self-traveling
crushing machine is overloaded. Accordingly, the load reduction of the
self-traveling crushing machine can be further favorably achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a self-traveling crushing machine
according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hydraulic circuit and a control
structure of the embodiment.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a lateral view showing a structure of a crusher of the
embodiment.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a hydraulic
cylinder with a close fit mechanism of the embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another control structure of the
embodiment.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a table structure in which a
relationship between strokes of the hydraulic cylinder with the close fit
mechanism and an outlet gap of the crusher in the embodiment.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining a method for determining overload
in the embodiment.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an arrangement of an
administrative system of the embodiment.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a structure of an administrative
server of the embodiment.

[0039]FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a structure of an
escape-operation information database of the embodiment.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the administrative
system of the embodiment.

[0041]FIG. 12 is a lateral view showing a transformation of the crusher of
the embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 13 is a lateral view of a structure of a crusher that forms a
self-traveling crushing machine according to a second embodiment of the
invention.

[0043]FIG. 14 is a plan view and a lateral view showing a structure of a
toggle plate of the embodiment.

[0044]FIG. 15 is a graph showing a relationship between a stress applied
on the toggle plate of the embodiment and overload in the embodiment.

[0045]FIG. 16 is another graph showing a relationship between a stress
applied on the toggle plate and the overload in the embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 17 is a lateral view showing a structure of a crusher that
forms a self-traveling crushing machine according to a third embodiment
of the invention.

[0047]FIG. 18 is a lateral view showing a transformation of the crusher of
the embodiment.

[0049]Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference
to the drawings.

First Embodiment

1. Overall Arrangement

[0050]FIG. 1 shows a self-traveling crushing machine 1 according to a
first embodiment of the invention. The self-traveling crushing machine 1
crushes raw materials thrown in by a loader 2 such as a hydraulic shovel
to produce products having a predetermined particle-diameter.

[0051]The self-traveling crushing machine 1 includes: a body 10 having a
pair of lower traveling bodies 11; a supplier 20 installed on the body 10
at a-rear portion thereof with respect to a front-rear direction (i.e.,
the left-right direction in FIG. 1); a crusher 30 installed in front of
the supplier 20; a power line 40 installed in front of the crusher 30;
and a discharge conveyor 50 obliquely extending forward and upward from a
lower portion of the body 10.

[0052]The lower traveling body 11 of the body 10 is of crawler type and is
driven by a hydraulic motor 12. The lower traveling body 11 may also be
of wheel type similarly driven by a hydraulic motor or may employ both
the crawler type arrangement and the wheel type arrangement. By driving
the lower traveling body 11, the self-traveling crushing machine 1 can be
moved to an optimal position.

[0053]The supplier 20 includes a hopper 21, a grizzly feeder 22, and a
side conveyor 23. The hopper 21 is shaped in a reverse truncated cone
formed wider at a higher portion thereof. Raw materials are thrown into
an open upper face of the hopper 21. The grizzly feeder 22 vibrates and
delivers the raw materials thrown in through the hopper 21 to the crusher
30. The side conveyor 23 discharges uncrushed raw materials falling from
a gap of the grizzly feeder 22 to a lateral side of the self-traveling
crushing machine 1. The grizzly feeder 22 is driven by a hydraulic motor
26 of a vibrator 25. The side conveyor 23 is driven by a hydraulic motor
27 (not shown in FIG. 1; see, FIG. 2) described below.

[0054]The crusher 30, which will be described in detail below, is a jaw
crusher having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw. A swing jaw 30A of the
crusher 30 is driven by a hydraulic motor 31 (FIG. 2).

[0055]As shown in FIG. 2, the power line 40 includes an engine 41 and a
hydraulic pump 42 driven by the engine 41.

[0056]Hydraulic pressure is supplied from the hydraulic pump 42 via
control valves 101 to 108 to the hydraulic motor 12 of the lower
traveling body 11, the hydraulic motor 26 of the vibrator 25 provided to
the grizzly feeder 22, the hydraulic motor 31 of the crusher 30, a
hydraulic motor 51 of the discharge conveyor 50 that will be described
below, a hydraulic motor 61 of a magnetic separator 60 that will be
described below, a hydraulic motor 71 of a grizzly 70, and a hydraulic
motor 81 of a second conveyer 80.

[0057]As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge conveyor 50 conveys crushed
objects crushed by the crusher 30 to a front side of the vehicle to
discharge the crushed objects onto the ground where the crushed objects
are accumulated. As set forth above, the discharge conveyor 50 is driven
by the foremost hydraulic motor 51 (see, FIG. 2).

[0058]When raw materials thrown in include a concrete mass containing
rebar or the like, the magnetic separator 60 may be post-attached as
shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 to remove the rebar from the
discharge conveyor 50. In addition, instead of directly accumulating on
the ground the crushed objects discharged from the discharge conveyor 50,
the crushed objects may be sifted by the grizzly 70 to separate larger
crushed objects from smaller crushed objects according to the particle
diameter.

[0059]In this case, the crushed objects having smaller particle diameter
which have fallen from the gap of the grizzly 70 are conveyed to a
distant site by the second conveyor 80. The crushed objects having larger
particle diameter which have remained on the grizzly 70 are slid off the
grizzly 70 to be accumulated on the ground or conveyed to another site by
a third conveyor (not shown).

2. Detailed Arrangement of Crusher 30

[0060]As shown in FIG. 3, the crusher 30 is a jaw crusher having a fixed
jaw 32 and a movable jaw 33. The fixed jaw 32 is attached on a pair of
frames 34 opposing each other in a direction perpendicular to the paper
plane of FIG. 3. The movable jaw 33 is disposed opposite to the fixed jaw
32 and swingably hung on an eccentric drive shaft 35 provided between the
frames 34. A V-shaped space between the fixed jaw 32 and the movable jaw
33 forms a crush chamber.

[0061]Though not shown in FIG. 3, a pulley is provided on an end of the
eccentric drive shaft 35, an end of a V-belt is wound around the pulley,
and the eccentric drive shaft 35 rotates by a hydraulic motor provided to
another end of the V-belt.

[0062]By rotation of the eccentric drive shaft 35, the movable jaw 33
swings toward and away from the fixed jaw 32. When to-be-crushed objects
are supplied to the V-shaped crush chamber from the grizzly feeder 22,
the movable jaw 33 swings, so that the to-be-crushed objects are
sandwiched and crushed between the fixed jaw 32 and the movable jaw 33.

[0063]When the to-be-crushed object is crushed to a predetermined grain
size or less, crushed grains are discharged to the discharge conveyor 50
through an outlet gap S between lower ends of the fixed jaw 32 and the
movable jaw 33.

[0064]At a back side of the movable jaw 33, a bracket 36 is provided on a
member interconnecting the pair of frames 34. A link mechanism is
provided between the bracket 36 and the movable jaw 33 to form a
movable-jaw load receiver 37.

[0065]Whereas the crusher 30 of the embodiment is equipped with the
movable-jaw load receiver 37 of so-called up-thrust type in which the
movable jaw 33 swings downward as if ripping off the crush face of the
fixed jaw 32, the crusher 30 may be of down-thrust type in which the
movable jaw 33 is pushed upward.

[0066]The movable-jaw load receiver 37 includes a lever 372 whose
intermediate portion is swingably attached to the bracket 36 by a pin 371
and a link member 374 rotatably provided to a first end of the lever 372
by a pin 373. An end of the link member 374 is rotatably connected to a
lower back of the movable jaw 33 by a pin 375.

[0067]A second end of the lever 372 is rotatably connected to a distal end
of a piston rod 381 of a hydraulic cylinder 38 with a close fit
mechanism.

[0068]The reaction force generated when the to-be-crushed objects are
crushed in the crush chamber is sent to the hydraulic cylinder 38 with
the close fit mechanism via the link member 374 and the lever 372.

[0069]The hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism, which is a
lock cylinder, forms the overload escaping section and is disposed in a
manner that a cylindrical axis thereof is substantially vertical. A
bottom of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism is
rotatably attached to an upper portion of the frame 34 by a pin 341.

[0070]As shown in FIG. 4, the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit
mechanism includes a cylinder 382 and a piston 383 whose distal end is
provided with the piston rod 381. The piston 383 is forced into the
cylinder 382 to divide an interior space of the cylinder 382 into a
cylinder head chamber 38A and a cylinder bottom chamber 383.

[0071]An oil hole 384 is formed in the piston rod 381 along an axial
direction of the piston rod 381. The oil hole 384 extends to the piston
383 and communicates with the inside of the cylinder 382 at an outer
circumference of the piston 383.

[0072]In the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism, the
piston 383 is normally fixed at a specified position in the cylinder 382
by closing fit of the cylinder 382.

[0073]When hydraulic fluid is supplied to the oil hole 384, the hydraulic
fluid is supplied between the outer circumference of the piston 383 and
the inner circumference of the cylinder 382, whereby a force that expands
the cylinder 382 radially outward is applied to the cylinder 382.

[0074]At this time, if the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder
head chamber 38A or the cylinder bottom chamber 38B, the hydraulic fluid
permits the piston 383 to move in the expanded cylinder 382.

[0075]In the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism set forth
above, the escape operation is conducted as follows. When the movable jaw
33 is overloaded, the piston 383 fixed by closing fit of the cylinder 382
is forced to slide by the load, so that a position of the piston 383 is
changed to remove the load applied on the movable jaw 33.

[0076]Subsequently, if the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the oil hole
384, the piston 383 is permitted to move within the cylinder 382, thereby
allowing restoration of the original state.

[0077]When the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism set
forth above is employed as the overload escaping section, the position of
the piston 383 can be easily restored by supplying hydraulic fluid within
the cylinder 382 upon restoration after the escape from the overload,
thereby facilitating restoration.

[0078]In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the
close fit mechanism is provided with a stroke sensor 39. The stroke
sensor 39 includes a detector body 391 and a measuring element 392.

[0079]The detector body 391 is fixed to an outer surface of the cylinder
382 of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism. A distal
end of the measuring element 392 is fixed to a distal end of the piston
rod 381 of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism.

[0080]When the piston rod 381 of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close
fit mechanism retreats toward the cylinder 382 for escaping overload, the
measuring element 392 of the stroke sensor 39 correspondingly retreats
toward the detector body 391. The detector body 391 converts an amount of
the retreat into electric signals and outputs the electric signals to a
controller 91. Incidentally, the stroke sensor 39 may exemplarily be a
linear potentiometer.

3. Control Structure of Hydraulic Circuit

[0081]3-1 Overall Arrangement of Control Unit 90

[0082]The self-traveling crushing machine 1 set forth above is controlled
by a control unit 90 shown in FIG. 2.

[0083]The control unit 90 includes ON-OFF switches (SW) for the
above-mentioned working equipments, namely, the grizzly feeder 22, the
side conveyor 23, the crusher 30, the discharge conveyor 50, the magnetic
separator 60, the grizzly 70, and the second conveyor 80. Signals from
the switches are outputted to the controller 91. Note that a switch for
the left and right lower traveling bodies 11 are omitted in FIG. 2.

[0084]The signals from the switches are inputted to the controller 91 and
the controller 91 outputs control signals to the control valves 101 to
108 for the working equipments 11, 22, 23, 30, 50, 60, 70, and 80 to
switch driving statuses of the working equipments.

[0085]Next, a detector 110 such as a pressure sensor is provided adjacent
to an entrance to each of the hydraulic motors 12, 27, 31, 51, 61, 71,
and 81 except the hydraulic motor 26 of the grizzly feeder 22. A pressure
value in the hydraulic circuit is outputted as a pressure signal from the
detector 110 to the controller 91.

[0086]Here, the hydraulic motor 31 of the crusher 30 and the hydraulic
motor 12 of the left and right lower traveling bodies 11 are each
provided with the detectors 110 on the hydraulic circuit adjacent to the
entrance and adjacent to the exit so that a pressure value can be
detected both during an orthodox drive and during a reverse drive of the
hydraulic motors 12 and 31.

[0087]The controller 91, formed as a computer including a processor and a
storage, determines whether or not an abnormality is present in the
working equipments 11, 22, 23, 30, 50, 60, 70, and 80 based on the
pressure signals from the detectors 110. If the controller 91 determines
that an abnormality is present, the controller 91 outputs a signal to an
alarm device 92 such as a buzzer, provided to the control unit 90, to
notify an operating personnel that an abnormality is present, and the
controller 91 also outputs signals to the control valves 102 to 108 to
suitably stop the working equipments 22, 23, 30, 50, 60, 70, and 80.

[0088]The controller 91 specifies a portion at which an abnormality is
present and displays the same on an ancillary vehicle monitor 93. Also,
the controller 91 outputs signals indicating an identification number
representing a portion where the abnormality occurred and indicating that
an abnormality is present to an operation-information communicating unit
94.

[0089]The operation-information communicating unit 94, which forms the
information output section, wirelessly outputs operation information,
which results from the operation determination by the controller 91, to
the outside based on an instruction from the controller 91. Incidentally,
GPS (not shown in FIG. 2) is installed on the self-traveling crushing
machine 1. Upon output of the operation information, latitude and
longitude that provide a present location of the self-traveling crushing
machine 1 are wirelessly outputted collaterally.

[0090]3-2 Control Structure of Crusher 30 by Control Unit 90

[0091]Next, a control structure of the crusher 30 by the above control
unit 90 will be described in detail.

[0092]As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 91 includes an operation
determining section 911, an operation instructing section 912, an
escape-operation determining section 913, and an alarm-information
receiving section 914, which are executed as programs.

[0093]The operation determining section 911 determines an operation state
of the hydraulic motor 31 based on electric signals from the detectors
110 such as pressure sensors provided adjacent to an entrance and
adjacent to an exit of the hydraulic motor 31 of the crusher 30. When the
operation determining section 911 determines an abnormality is present,
the operation determining section 911 outputs signals to such effect to
the operation instructing section 912 and sends the signals also to the
operation-information communicating unit 94.

[0094]The operation instructing section 912 generates and outputs a
control instruction for the control valve 104 based on the yield of the
operation determining section 911. Specifically, the operation
instructing section 912 changes a position by activating a solenoid of
the control valve 104 by the control instruction and changes the
supplying status of the hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor 31 to
avoid an operational abnormality.

[0095]The escape-operation determining section 913 determines whether or
not the crusher 30 is overloaded based on a detection signal outputted
from the stroke sensor 39 shown in FIG. 3. When the escape-operation
determining section 913 determines that an overload is present, the
escape-operation determining section 913 determines that an escape
operation by the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism is
conducted. The escape-operation determining section 913 determines the
above based on information recorded in a memory 95 provided to the
controller 91.

[0096]Specifically, a table 951 in which a stroke L of the stroke sensor
39 and a size of the outlet gap S between the lower ends of the fixed jaw
32 and the movable jaw 33 shown in FIG. 3 are associated in the memory 95
as shown in FIG. 6. Statuses of loads applied to the movable jaw 33 that
correspond to statuses of the outlet gap S are stored therein. The stored
statuses of loads include a normal status (o), an over-threshold status
(Δ), and an overload status (x).

[0097]With reference to the table 951 in the memory 95, the
escape-operation determining section 913 determines whether or not the
overload status is present in correspondence with the size of the outlet
gap S as shown in FIG. 7.

[0098]Specifically, the escape-operation determining section 913 does not
determine that an overload is present even if the deviation of the stroke
L is detected to be L2 by the stroke sensor 39 and the corresponding
outlet gap S is over a threshold S2. Yet, as shown in the graph G1 in
FIG. 7, the escape-operation determining section 913 determines that an
overload is present only if the overload status continues for a
predetermined time T1, so that a detection error due to an external
disturbance can be prevented.

[0099]When the escape-operation determining section 913 determines that an
overload is present and that the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit
mechanism has been operated, the escape-operation determining section 913
outputs signals to such effect to the operation instructing section 912.
Based on the signal, the operation instructing section 912 moves a
position of the control valve 104 to stop drive of the hydraulic motor
31.

[0101]The wireless output of the escape-operation information by the
operation-information communicating unit 94 can be set at various
timings.

[0102]For example, the escape-operation information may be wirelessly
outputted at a timing when the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit
mechanism conducts the escape operation. Also, for example,
escape-operation information may be accumulated in the memory 95 or the
like annexed to the controller 91 so that the escape-operation
information can be wirelessly outputted when an interval of the escape
operation falls to or below a predetermined threshold (i.e., when the
operation is more frequent).

[0103]The alarm-information receiving section 914 receives alarm
information via the operation-information communicating unit 94. When the
alarm-information receiving section 914 receives the alarm information,
the alarm-information receiving section 914 outputs a control instruction
to the alarm device 92 which forms the alarm-calling unit so that the
alarm device 92 calls an alarm including images, sounds or the like.

4. Arrangement of Administrative System

[0104]4-1 Overall Arrangement of Administrative System

[0105]The escape-operation information wirelessly outputted from the
operation-information communicating unit 94 of the self-traveling
crushing machine 1 set forth above is concentrated to and processed by an
administrative server. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the
escape-operation information wirelessly outputted from the
operation-information communicating unit 94 is received by a
communication satellite 121, forwarded to a satellite-communication earth
station 122 and a network-administering station 123 from the
communication satellite 121, and concentrated to an administrative server
130 via a network 124.

[0106]Incidentally, in the embodiment, the communication satellite 121,
the satellite-communication earth station 122, and the
network-administering station 123 are intercommunicated via dedicated
communication lines, but the network 124 coupling the
network-administering station 123 and the administrative server 130 is
formed by all-purpose lines such as the Internet.

[0107]In addition, an on-site terminal computer 140 placed at an office at
a construction site where the self-traveling crushing machine 1 is
installed and a service terminal computer 150 placed at a service entity
that conducts maintenance and the like of the self-traveling crushing
machine 1 are connected to the network 124.

[0108]4-2 Arrangement of Administrative Server 130

[0109]As shown in FIG. 9, the administrative server 130 receives,
accumulates, and administers operation information and escape-operation
information of the self-traveling crushing machine 1 sent from the
operation-information communicating unit 94 set forth above, and
distributes, as necessary, the information to the operation-information
communicating unit 94, the on-site terminal computer 140, and the service
terminal computer 150. Specifically, the administrative server 130 is
formed as a computer including a processor 130A and a storage 130B.

[0110]The administrative server 130 includes programs executed on the
processor 130A, i.e., a communicating section 131, an
operation-information retrieving section 132, an escape-operation
information retrieving section 133, an escape-operation count determining
section 134, and a notifier 135. An operation information database 136
and an escape-operation information database 137 are retained in a
storage area of the storage 130B.

[0111]The communicating section 131 communicates various information
including the operation information through communication with the
operation-information communicating unit 94 provided to the
self-traveling crushing machine 1, the on-site terminal computer 140, and
the service terminal computer 150.

[0112]The operation-information retrieving section 132 retrieves results
of operation determination by the controller 91 based on the information
detected by the detectors 110 respectively provided to the portions of
the self-traveling crushing machine 1. The retrieved information is
accumulated in the operation information database 136 with the
identification information such as a machine identification number of the
self-traveling crushing machine 1.

[0114]The escape-operation information database 137 accumulates and saves
the escape-operation information retrieved by the escape-operation
information retrieving section 133 and includes a table structure on
which a set of the escape-operation information is recorded as one
record.

[0115]The escape-operation information database 137 may employ a
table-structure database such as a table 137T shown in FIG. 10 in which a
record formed by identification information and present location of the
self-traveling crushing machine 1 and date and time of receipt are
accumulated as the escape-operation information.

[0116]The escape-operation count determining section 134 determines in
what state the administered self-traveling crushing machine 1 is operated
based on the escape-operation information accumulated in the
escape-operation information database 137 set forth above. A
determination by the escape-operation count determining section 134 can
perform determination based on, for example, how many times the escape
operation is conducted in a predetermined hours or a predetermined time
period. If the escape operation is repeated many times in a period, the
escape-operation count determining section 134 determines that the
self-traveling crushing machine 1 is driven in an overloaded state.

[0117]The notifier 135 makes a notification concerning an operation status
in which the self-traveling crushing machine 1 is operated in the
overloaded state for the on-site terminal computer 140 and the service
terminal computer 150 via the network 124 based on results of
determination by the escape-operation count determining section 134. In
addition, the notifier 135 sends alarm information telling the overload
to the operation-information communicating unit 94 via the communication
satellite 121.

[0118]The alarm information by the notifier 135 for the
operation-information communicating unit 94 by the notifier 135 forms an
instruction signal that actuates the alarm device 92 of the
self-traveling crushing machine 1. The alarm-information receiving
section 914 of the controller 91 that receives the alarm information
makes the alarm device 92 to call based on the instruction signal and
displays such a message on the vehicle monitor 93.

[0119]Here, upon distribution of the information by the notifier 135 to
the on-site terminal computer 140 and the service terminal computer 150,
it is preferable that not only information telling that the
self-traveling crushing machine 1 is operated in an overloaded state but
also recommendation information concerning what state is desirable for
the self-traveling crushing machine 1 to be operated in and how an
overloaded state can be escaped are distributed.

5. Operation of Administrative System

[0120]Next, an operation of the administrative system of the
self-traveling crushing machine 1 set forth above will be described with
reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 11.

(1) While the self-traveling crushing machine 1 is operated, the
escape-operation determining section 913 of the controller 91 monitors
whether the crusher 30 is in operation or not (Step ST1). If the
escape-operation determining section 913 determines that the crusher 30
is in operation, the escape-operation determining section 913 determines
that the crusher 30 is overloaded based on detection signals from the
stroke sensor 39 (Step ST2).(2) When the calculated outlet gap S becomes
greater than the predetermined threshold S2 in conjunction with the
change of stroke L of the stroke sensor 39 and such a state continues
longer than the predetermined time T1, the escape-operation determining
section 913 determines that the overload is present. Accompanying the
determination of the overload, the escape-operation determining section
913 determines that the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit
mechanism has been in operation and outputs a signal to the effect to the
operating instructing section 912. The operation instructing section 912
stops the crusher 30 based on the signal (Step ST3).(3) Subsequently the
escape-operation determining section 913 stores the date and time at
which the escape operation is conducted as escape-operation information
in the memory 95 (Step ST 4) and outputs the escape-operation information
to the operation-information communicating unit 94. The
operation-information communicating unit 94 sends the inputted
escape-operation information to the communication satellite 121 with the
identification information and the operation information such as the
present location information of the self-traveling crushing machine 1
(Step ST5).(4) The escape-operation information retrieving section 133 of
the administrative server 130 determines whether or not the
escape-operation information is received in the communicating section 131
(Step ST6). When the escape-operation information is determined to have
been inputted, the escape-operation-information retrieving section 133
retrieves the escape-operation information (Step ST7) and accumulates the
escape-operation information in the escape-operation information database
137 together with the identification information and the present location
information of the self-traveling crushing machine 1 in the operation
information that are simultaneously inputted (Step ST8).(5) While the
escape-operation information is being accumulated in the above-described
steps, the escape-operation count determining section 134 periodically
retrieves the escape-operation information that corresponds to the
identification information of the self-traveling crushing machine 1
accumulated in the escape-operation information database 137, and
calculates a length of an interval of the escape operation of the crusher
30 to determine whether or not the occurrence frequency of the escape
operation is high (Step ST9).(6) If the occurrence frequency is
determined to be high, the escape operation count determining section 134
outputs a signal to such effect to the notifier 135. The notifier 135
generates alarm information and sends the alarm information to the
operation-information communicating unit 94 of the corresponding
self-traveling crushing machine 1 (Step ST10).(7) The alarm-information
receiving section 914 monitors whether or not the operation information
communicating unit 94 receives the alarm information (Step ST11), and
when the alarm information is received, the alarm-information receiving
section 914 operates the alarm device 92 (Step ST12).(8) The notifier
135, which outputs the alarm information as set forth above, also
distributes the escape-operation information and ancillary recommendation
information such as an appropriate operating state of the crusher 30 and
the escaping method of the overloaded state to the on-site terminal
computer 140 and the service terminal computer 150 via the network 124
(Step ST13).

[0121]In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the stroke sensor 39 detects
the change of the stroke L of the piston rod 381 of the hydraulic
cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism for calculating the outlet gap
S. Here, movement of the piston 383 of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the
close fit mechanism can be detected in any suitable manner.

[0122]For example, as shown in FIG. 12, an angle A of the lever 372 of the
movable-jaw load receiver 37 with respect to the vertical direction may
be measured by an angle sensor 39A, where relationship between the angle
A and the outlet gap S is stored in the memory 95 to calculate the outlet
gap S. A rotary potentiometer may be employed as the angle sensor 39A.

[0123]In this case, a fixed electrode of the rotary potentiometer is fixed
on the pin 371, and a movable electrode is fixed on the lever 372. A
standard voltage is applied to the fixed electrode to measure the change
of voltage of the movable electrode. Then a rotary position of the
movable electrode with respect to the fixed electrode can be detected.

[0124]When the piston rod 381 of the hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close
fit mechanism retreats toward the cylinder 382 for escaping overload, the
lever 372 swings in conjunction with the retreat, thereby allowing
measurement of the angle of the lever 372 by the angle sensor 39A.

[0125]The control unit 90 stores a table in which the rotary angle A and
the size of the outlet gap S formed by the lower ends of the fixed jaw 32
and the movable jaw 33 are associated. Statuses of load applied to the
movable jaw 33 can be determined based on the thresholds of the rotary
angle A that respectively correspond to the statuses of the outlet gap S.
In other words, it is determined whether the load status is a normal
status, an over-threshold status, or an overload status.

[0126]According to the method for measuring the angle A by the angle
sensor 39A as set forth above, because the outlet gap S is converted into
the angle A that defines the orientation of the link mechanism, the
change of the outlet gap S can be detected in the form of the angle A in
an enlarged manner. Accordingly, resolution upon the escape operation
detection can be enhanced, thereby improving accuracy of the detection of
the escape operation.

Second Embodiment

[0127]Next, the second embodiment of the invention will be described. Note
that the same components and the like as those in the above description
will be provided with the same numerals as in the above and description
thereof will be omitted.

[0128]In the first embodiment set forth above, the hydraulic cylinder 38
with the close fit mechanism is employed as the overload escaping
section, and it is determined whether or not the escape operation by the
hydraulic cylinder 38 with the close fit mechanism has been conducted
based on the detection signal from the stroke sensor 39.

[0129]In contrast, as shown in FIG. 13, a crusher 230 according to the
second embodiment has a back side of the movable jaw 33 and the frame 34
interconnected by a toggle plate 236.

[0131]To determine whether or not the escape operation is conducted, a
stress gauge 240 is provided on the toggle plate 236. A detection signal
from the stress gauge 240 is processed by the controller to determine
whether or not the escape operation is performed.

[0132]Here, the following two methods may be employed as a method for
determining whether or not the escaping operation of the embodiment is
conducted.

[0133]1. Case in which Toggle Plate 236 is of Normal Specification

[0134]As shown in FIG. 14, one or a plurality of holes 236A are provided
substantially at the center of the plate shape. As shown in FIG. 15, the
buckling occurring at a stress σ1, the escape operation is
determined to have been conducted at a stress kσ1 which is lower
than the stress σ1 in view of safety coefficient k (0<k<1).
Incidentally, if the buckling stress of the toggle plate 236 is set at
kσ1, the stress kσ1 for determining the escape operation may
be set at 0.6 to 0.8 σ1.

[0135]With this arrangement, because escape operation is, without the
toggle plate 236 actually having been buckled, determined to have been
conducted so that the operation of the crusher 230 is stopped, the
crusher 230 can be restored and operated without exchanging the toggle
plate 236 for escape operation.

[0136]Note that, in this case, the buckling is determined to have occurred
at a stress less than the buckling stress σ1 of the toggle plate
236, thereby reducing operating quantity.

[0137]2. Case in which Toggle Plate 236 is Stronger than Normal
Specification

[0138]In view of the above, a toggle plate 236 in which a buckling stress
σ2 of the buckling portion is greater than the normal toggle plate
236 shown in FIG. 14 may be employed. Whether or not escape operation is
performed may be determined when the stress detected by the stress gauge
240 reaches, as shown in FIG. 15, a designed allowable stress σ1 of
the crusher 230 that performs the escape operation.

[0139]In this case, whereas a typical toggle plate 236 may include, for
example, three holes 236A, the holes 236A may be decreased or omitted.

[0140]With this arrangement, because presence of escape operation is not
determined until the stress reaches the designed allowable stress
σ1, the advantage similar to the above can be obtained without the
above-mentioned decrease in the operating quantity.

[0141]Except for what has been described, the arrangement of the
embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. No further
description is necessary as the determination is performed by the
escape-operation determining section in the controller retrieving the
signals from the stress gauge 240.

Third Embodiment

[0142]Next, a third embodiment of the invention will be described.

[0143]In the second embodiment, the stress gauge 240 is provided on the
toggle plate 236, and the escape-operation determining section performs
the escape operation determination based on signals outputted by the
stress gauge 240 that detects the stress applied to the toggle plate 236.

[0144]In contrast, as shown in FIG. 17, the crusher 250 of the third
embodiment is provided with the stress gauge 240 not on the toggle plate
236 but on a toggle pin 251 which forms the reaction-force supporting
mechanism that supports force applied to the movable jaw 33 via the
toggle plate 236. Based on detection signals detected by the stress gauge
240, the escape-operation determining section of the controller
determines whether or not the escape operation is performed.

[0145]In this case, the movable jaw 33 may be overloaded in advance so
that the toggle plate is intentionally buckled, where the stress applied
to the toggle pin 251 upon the buckling may be measured to set the stress
for determining escape operation based on the measured stress.

[0146]Such a method in which the stress gauge 240 is provided to the
reaction-force supporting mechanism may be implemented by, for example,
providing the stress gauge 240 on the eccentric drive shaft 35 as shown
in FIG. 18.

[0147]Even if a large rock F and the like are thrown in the crusher 250 to
overload an upper stream of the crusher 250, the stress gauge 240
provided to the eccentric drive shaft 35 can reliably detect the
overload.

Modifications of Embodiments

[0148]Note that the scope of the invention is not limited to the
embodiments set forth above, but includes modifications such as the
following.

[0149]Though a jaw crusher is employed as the crusher 30 in the first
embodiment, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but the
invention may be implemented on an impact crusher and the like as long as
a device for escaping overload is provided.

[0150]Specific structures, shapes, and the like for implementation of the
invention may be suitably modified as long as an object of the invention
can be achieved.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0151]The present invention may be applied to a self-traveling crushing
machine and a self-traveling wood crusher, as well as to a self-traveling
crushing machine having a soil improving machine or any other suitable
crushing method.